This film is a story about a typical family in Singapore who dream of wealth and success. The movie is centered around a lower-middle class family living in public housing in Singapore. Each person in the family has very different personalities yet each person is struggling to find the key to happiness and success. While we are watching the families success and failures we are reminded that the real thing that matters in life is love and family.
The mother in this film wants what is best for her family. She forces herbal tea on everyone, always looks for the best bargains and is constantly treated as a doormat. She lives her life to please others. The daughter in the film is very similar to her mother. She does have a career but allows her manager and family to take advantage of her just because she is a woman. There is a very clear sexist theme throughout this film, showing that men are superior and deserve more opportunities then women. The father would do absolutely anything for his son. The father is so concerned with becoming rich that he practically forces his son to go to school in America. I believe the only reason he sends his son to school is so that he will someday reap the benefits of having a son with a college education. The son is the worst of all. He takes advantage of everyone in his family. He is the kind of person that expects to get rich without putting in any effort. The son was given endless opportunities to make something of himself yet failed and still expected his family to support him financially. I felt sorry for each family member at certain points of this film. Each member of this family was just so pathetic and weak. Happiness can not be bought and unfortunately this family thought that wealth was the answer to all their problems.
The landscape of this movie was very urban . We see a lot of businesses with high skyscrapers. There are a lot of people that live on this island and not very much space. We can see that status is one of the most important things in Singapore. Belonging to country clubs and living in luxury is a high priority to most of the people in Singapore. There seems to be a lot of competition between jobs and status since there are so many people and not a lot of opportunities. There is just such a high standard for luxury living yet a low standard for the quality of life.
This film is a great reminder to us all to not take the simple things in life for granted. Money can be handed to you on a silver platter and there will still be struggles in life. We must remember that character is more important than wealth. I am pleased that by the end of this film most members of the Loh family developed their character and showed us a little bit of integrity.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Tsotsi
This powerful film was definitely my favorite so far. The story takes place in Johannesburg, South Africa and is about a boy and his struggles to overcome his horrifying childhood. The film unravels the development of this boy named Tsotsi and transforms him from a thug into a respectable young man who has repented for his wrong doings. It is amazing to see how such a destructive boy can transform from a dangerous fighter into a loving caretaker of a little infant.
This movie has many contrasts, especially between living conditions. The urban areas of South Africa looked very appealing. These urban areas had gated communities, a lot of beautiful houses and appeared to have strong security systems. These developed neighborhoods were full of high class people who could afford the latest security alarms to protect their neighborhoods and houses. I was amazed at how extravagant the houses were especially on the inside, I would have never expected a house in Africa to be so luxurious. The rural areas were my typical stereotype of Africa. These areas were run down shacks with metal roofs and underdeveloped neighborhoods with little technology. There were many homeless children who found homes in drain pipes and just a lot of dirty people who engaged in criminal activities. The rural area was basically a hang out for the criminals and homeless. There was a lot of dirt and dust and no trees or landscaping like the urban neighborhoods had.
Although many would think there would be a contrast between the black and white people in Africa, very few differences are shown in this film. The victims of this movie, the couple who had their baby kidnapped, are black. Eventhough this couple is black it appears as though they act more like the white class. They are very wealthy, successful and act very respectable. There are very few white people in the movie to even comment on. One of the very few characters that comes to mind who was white, is the police officer with the moustache. This officer did seem a lot more calm than the other black police officers in the film. I guess eventhough there was only a few white people in this film, these white people held possitions of authority. They were police officers who had a lot of power in South Africa.
There is no direct Apartheid shown in this film yet we know it is hidden behind the scenes. We can see the effect that it has on society, it has divided society and created a poverty infested population. Although we can't see the power behind this problem, we can see the segregation dividing throughout the areas of South Africa.
The baby is the central character in this movie, without the baby Tsotsi would be headed in the path of destruction. The baby symbolizes hope and redemption. This little baby boy has saved Tsotsi from his criminal ways and has made him into a decent human being that actually cares about right and wrong. Tsotsi now knows what it feels like to care for someone other than himself. The baby has also helped Tsotsi get over his painful childhood. The baby was someone he could care for and show the world that he is capable of loving something eventhough his father never loved him. The baby also revealed a selflessness in Tsotsi, he gave the baby back so it would have a chance at life and would have the opportunties that Tsotsi never had.
The movie is pretty vague about the future of Africa. We can conclude that there is hope for the future generations. We can be proud that at least one life has transformed and hopefully many others will follow into Tsotsi's path. We can hope for change in everyone's lives and hopefully create a better society. We can look foward to the future and try to forget the painful past that Africa has endured.
This movie has many contrasts, especially between living conditions. The urban areas of South Africa looked very appealing. These urban areas had gated communities, a lot of beautiful houses and appeared to have strong security systems. These developed neighborhoods were full of high class people who could afford the latest security alarms to protect their neighborhoods and houses. I was amazed at how extravagant the houses were especially on the inside, I would have never expected a house in Africa to be so luxurious. The rural areas were my typical stereotype of Africa. These areas were run down shacks with metal roofs and underdeveloped neighborhoods with little technology. There were many homeless children who found homes in drain pipes and just a lot of dirty people who engaged in criminal activities. The rural area was basically a hang out for the criminals and homeless. There was a lot of dirt and dust and no trees or landscaping like the urban neighborhoods had.
Although many would think there would be a contrast between the black and white people in Africa, very few differences are shown in this film. The victims of this movie, the couple who had their baby kidnapped, are black. Eventhough this couple is black it appears as though they act more like the white class. They are very wealthy, successful and act very respectable. There are very few white people in the movie to even comment on. One of the very few characters that comes to mind who was white, is the police officer with the moustache. This officer did seem a lot more calm than the other black police officers in the film. I guess eventhough there was only a few white people in this film, these white people held possitions of authority. They were police officers who had a lot of power in South Africa.
There is no direct Apartheid shown in this film yet we know it is hidden behind the scenes. We can see the effect that it has on society, it has divided society and created a poverty infested population. Although we can't see the power behind this problem, we can see the segregation dividing throughout the areas of South Africa.
The baby is the central character in this movie, without the baby Tsotsi would be headed in the path of destruction. The baby symbolizes hope and redemption. This little baby boy has saved Tsotsi from his criminal ways and has made him into a decent human being that actually cares about right and wrong. Tsotsi now knows what it feels like to care for someone other than himself. The baby has also helped Tsotsi get over his painful childhood. The baby was someone he could care for and show the world that he is capable of loving something eventhough his father never loved him. The baby also revealed a selflessness in Tsotsi, he gave the baby back so it would have a chance at life and would have the opportunties that Tsotsi never had.
The movie is pretty vague about the future of Africa. We can conclude that there is hope for the future generations. We can be proud that at least one life has transformed and hopefully many others will follow into Tsotsi's path. We can hope for change in everyone's lives and hopefully create a better society. We can look foward to the future and try to forget the painful past that Africa has endured.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
City of God
The film City of God first takes place between the 1960-the late 1980's. This movie was filmed and takes place in Rio de Janiero, Brazil and is a disturbing story of the slums throughout this city. It was filmed in the year 2000 and many of the characters in the movie are actually actors who were trained from this area. The main story line is about a few boys who were trapped in the slums or favellas and how their lives unfolded throughout many unfortunate circumstances. These slums are the result of poverty throughout this area, there are so many poor people that have very few options. I know this movie was based on a true story and that just makes it that much worse, knowing and being a part of the violence and inhumanity that goes on in other parts of the world. The director did not hold back any violent details when showing us the scenes of this movie, I assume that most of the things that happened are accurate, but I still wish that I didn't have to see so many disturbing images.
Little Dice is one of the main characters in this film, the story introduces him as just a child. When I first saw him I almost had some sympathy for him, he seemed left out eventhough he was the one with all the ideas and most of the intelligence of the group, however, I hadn't yet realized that this kid had evil in his core and was created to kill. There was no morality in his intentions, just like most of the kids in these favellas. No one seemed to have any regard for human life, everyone was just too consumed with gaining more power and would kill anyone who stood in their way.
The city in this movie is portrayed as such a dangerous place. I would be scared to step foot in this city for even five minutes. There are kids hijacking trucks for goods, people killing in the streets, the police have no control over anyone. There is just no order in the City of God, no one respects authority. People run from the cops, yet the cops are also bad people who accept bribes, no one can be trusted. Everyone is just struggling to get by, if you are not a thief, you may not survive. People kill just for the sake of killing, or most importantly to show them that they have more power. The economy also seems almost nonexistent, no one has jobs, there are no shops, restaurants or anything around the streets.
The landscape outside of the favella is beautiful beaches, full of lush palm trees and sparkling waters. It almost felt like I was watching two different movies, first your looking at these run down neighborhoods full of crime and commotion, then you're looking at peaceful beaches full of sand and laughter. Also the landscape outside of the favellas just looks a lot safer, there are actually businesses, nicer houses and more transportation. It looks like a typical city with normal people that are not so involved with hate and crime. Along with a more developed city comes more developed individulas who have a more peaceful existence. The countryside is basically just shown as an escape from the favellas to a safer environment.
Class structure is very evident in this movie. We are shown two sides of life. The favelas show us the poor side of the city, this side is full of illegal substances, guns, killing, crime and danger. All the power in these favelas are held by gangs. These gangs decide who will live and who will die, they force others into gangs and hold the lives of the city in their hands. They also have the power to control the wealth of the community. Outside of the favelas we are shown others that are not involved in gangs, such as the police. Although the police are supposed to protect us from harm, they cannot help but to also be influenced by these gangs. The police flirt with danger as they accept bribes from the wealthy so they can also become richer, creating a violent circle. What a violent and corrupt existence the City of God is under!
Little Dice is one of the main characters in this film, the story introduces him as just a child. When I first saw him I almost had some sympathy for him, he seemed left out eventhough he was the one with all the ideas and most of the intelligence of the group, however, I hadn't yet realized that this kid had evil in his core and was created to kill. There was no morality in his intentions, just like most of the kids in these favellas. No one seemed to have any regard for human life, everyone was just too consumed with gaining more power and would kill anyone who stood in their way.
The city in this movie is portrayed as such a dangerous place. I would be scared to step foot in this city for even five minutes. There are kids hijacking trucks for goods, people killing in the streets, the police have no control over anyone. There is just no order in the City of God, no one respects authority. People run from the cops, yet the cops are also bad people who accept bribes, no one can be trusted. Everyone is just struggling to get by, if you are not a thief, you may not survive. People kill just for the sake of killing, or most importantly to show them that they have more power. The economy also seems almost nonexistent, no one has jobs, there are no shops, restaurants or anything around the streets.
The landscape outside of the favella is beautiful beaches, full of lush palm trees and sparkling waters. It almost felt like I was watching two different movies, first your looking at these run down neighborhoods full of crime and commotion, then you're looking at peaceful beaches full of sand and laughter. Also the landscape outside of the favellas just looks a lot safer, there are actually businesses, nicer houses and more transportation. It looks like a typical city with normal people that are not so involved with hate and crime. Along with a more developed city comes more developed individulas who have a more peaceful existence. The countryside is basically just shown as an escape from the favellas to a safer environment.
Class structure is very evident in this movie. We are shown two sides of life. The favelas show us the poor side of the city, this side is full of illegal substances, guns, killing, crime and danger. All the power in these favelas are held by gangs. These gangs decide who will live and who will die, they force others into gangs and hold the lives of the city in their hands. They also have the power to control the wealth of the community. Outside of the favelas we are shown others that are not involved in gangs, such as the police. Although the police are supposed to protect us from harm, they cannot help but to also be influenced by these gangs. The police flirt with danger as they accept bribes from the wealthy so they can also become richer, creating a violent circle. What a violent and corrupt existence the City of God is under!
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